★111
ASTERI'S POV
Meanwhile, Velgrynd's draconic form managed to immobilise Veldora in his dragon state. That's when Lieutenant Tatsuya Kondou struck, he shot Veldora clean through.
It should've been impossible for a mere steel to penetrate the scales of a dragon but Tatsuya and his gun are completely out of class.
That shot reminded me of Kondou's match with Sai during his brief ascension. Same precision and ruthlessness. With Veldora severely weakened, Rudra made his final move. He used the same ability he once tried on Sai, now armed with an Ultimate Skill. This time, it worked.
Veldora released his dragon form and boarded their ship. Just like that... he was gone. + 1 for the Empire, - 100 for Tempest.
Right at that moment, Rimuru reappeared on the battlefield after escaping the prison. And from the aura he emitted, he was furious. Tatsuya fired his weapon again but Rimuru deflected it with a glance.
"Hehe. He's serious. We might get some record-breaking genocide today."
I spoke enthusiastically, making myself comfortable on my throne, my eyes locked on the floating magic screen. Then came an unexpected message from Sai.
Due to her Skill, Parallel Existence, Velgrynd had a split consciousness another body role back in the Empire.
After Rimuru and co escaped, she forced the Tempestians into enemy grounds and had them fight the powerhouse of the Empire.
She was waiting for them the whole time and the perfect opportunity just appeared. With Rimuru occupied by her other body and Veldora, they can wipe out Tempest in one go.
He explained and I couldn't help but laugh.
"What a strategy, but I need Rimuru in this. All I can say is that I wish the Tempestians good luck."
By his command, Velgrynd charged onto the battlefield, her younger brother beside her, as the two True Dragons stood united against a mere Demon Lord.
Their clash unleashed devastation across Tempest, reducing the nation to ruins. Yet, Rimuru held his ground against the apex predators of the Cardinal World.
Mid battle, a clone-like version of Rimuru emerged but it was no ordinary clone. It surged toward Velgrynd with killing intent, while the real Rimuru engaged Veldora, determined to bring his best friend back. As the battle neared its climax because Rimuru had decided it would, he devoured both Veldora and Velgrynd. Then, from within the smoke and shattered sky, his slimy form was summoned.
Energy converged around him with unimaginable force. I could feel it, he was either evolving or had already begun to evolve.
Then he released his human form, and the aura he emanated was divine. It was as if he'd ascended to our level. From the Parallel Plane of Energy, Etherium, I detected the faint, but undeniable, soul-signatures of Veldora and Velgrynd within him, something that should have been impossible.
The battle had been impossible. Yet, the fact that he emerged victorious proved he could turn impossibility into reality. Through Etherium, I concluded: this Rimuru, the Ultimate Slime, now harboured a fragment of existence equivalent to the True Dragons he devoured.
With the sudden turn of events, Tempest got +4 and the Empire lost -2000. His clone, and the parts of two True Dragons all residing within him is an overboost.
With Velgrynd defeated, the only person who can stand against him is Rudra and probably Sai with 50%. However, no matter what, I'll never allow the clones to use 20% of their actual powers, talk about something absurd like 50%.
Seven Dragon Gates, she called them, appeared, each leading to a different dimension, and each combatant was forced to enter alone and fight simultaneously.
Shion, Benimaru, Ultima, Carrera, and Testarossa stepped forward, each assigned to battle one of the Single Digits.
Sai was paired with Benimaru and held back deliberately, clearly waiting for his master after chaining Benimaru like a dog. I didn't care whose fighting who but it's time for me to make a move.
(They happened simultaneously but Asteri had to wait for Rimuru to head back home first.)
And in that moment of chaos, I infiltrated Tempest, appearing behind Rimuru.
"Congratulations on your evolution, Rimuru Tempest."
He flinched, his true self never escaping my mind.
"S—sensei? Wait. How did you know? Where watching me?"
"Hinata made me stare at you throughout the weeks so yes, I was."
I lied, a broad smile on my face.
Ramiris and a few Tempestians were active at the scene.
"A—asta kun?"
"Yo, Lady Ramiris. You cheated on me with Rimuru, yes?"
"I—um—that's not—"
She lost her words, and her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Well, I'm here to kill him."
I stated, summoning a vortex absorbing Rimuru before he could even react.
"What are you doing, Asta kun?"
"It's your fault, Lady Ramiris. Consider this a plot twist."
I smirked before letting myself get sucked into the vortex.
"Wwhat are you scheming, sensei?"
He asked as I took a break in the corridor for a few minutes.
"It's time."
"Time for?"
"Something greedy."
I faked a smile, delivering us to the dimension Sai was currently in.
As we appeared, he was currently stepping on Benimaru's sword, looking down on him, his aura freezing his surroundings.
Noticing my presence, he cooled down, and Benimaru bowed in the presence of their leader.
"What are your plans, sensei?"
"With this much time, it's fair to say they've wiped out their opponents. Sai, go to the outside world and dispatch into all the Dragon Gates."
He did as commanded and used ice particles leaking from his aura as he communicated with Velgrund.
"Now that you've cleared yours, head back to the Empire and protect the Emperor."
"Leave it to me."
He departed, returning to the dimension. As a guest, I concealed our presence and made the summons, bringing them into this dimension plane.
The Three Demonesses looked shocked but immediately focused their gaze on the sole individual ahead.
"Welcome, Demons. I'm Sai, the Unnamed, occupying the third-highest rank within the Empire, Single Digit 0."
Their eyes widened. They each just face Single Digit and their bodies have taken a huge toll from the fight and now standing before them is the one who's at the pinnacle of that rank.
"Does this mean you're the final test?"
"It's obvious."
"Well no matter what, we'll cut you down. An enemy will always be an enemy."
Testarossa, Ultima and Carrera spoke respectively. Sai gestured 'no' before talking. Demon's pride always steps in.
"Oh, I won't be your opponent. Behold—"
"Behold, the Executioner."
A child's voice echoed and all eyes turned to the kid dressed in brown with long black hair. It was Eto. He added some radiance and made his clothes and hair move unnaturally.
(He's always putting on an act, lol.)
'You fool, interrupting my act.'
Sai cursed. No matter the situation, my clones have a bad side for each other.
'Just so you know, you made it seem like your name is Behold, the Executioner.'
Sai corrected. I was standing behind the curtain listening to their telepathic voices.
As if to prove he's superior, he stayed mid-air.
"It'll hurt my Divinity & pride to stand on equal footing as the descendant of darkness."
"Who are those, sensei?"
"Just like Yami, they're my clones. I'm sure this is the first time you're seeing them."
"What's going on? You plan on using them to fight?"
He asked, his voice leaking annoyance because I've left him in the dark.
"Long ago, Eto and I saved the Kingdom of Raja from the underlings of Violet, who you've named Ultima."
Shinn appeared in the isolated part of the dimension, filling in the gaps for Rimuru.
"After saving the day, Ultima was pissed and summoned us to the Underworld to kill us. Eto faced her while I protected the Queen. Blanc, Testarossa was summoned and it turned into a two v one.
Eto lost it and knowing it'll be a hindrance for the Master to deal with the Originals at that moment, I took us back before Eto engaged. This is simply the right moment for Eto to unleash his long-accumulated rage."
"I—I get it. But does it have to—"
Rimuru after taking in the details struggled for words and I broke off.
"The Originals can't be killed permanently. While we have Arts at our disposal to counter that, I promise you I won't allow Eto to kill them."
I said, facing the space where the fight was about to begin.
"You!"
Ultima will never forget this face and so she snapped, releasing her aura.
"I've heard about you. The one who faced Testa and Ultima in the Underworld. I'm game, I'll destroy you!"
So Zelda's behaviour isn't an act. It's lineage based.
"I'm sorry but, I'll stop you. For Great Rimuru."
"As you can see, the demons are in favour. If you call them back, it'll be as if they're running away and knowing demons, it'll shatter their pride beyond repair."
I added and Eto cackled.
"Haught talks, just prove it already."
He responded before dashing into chaos. Facing three Primordial Demon head on.
"Shinn keep an eye on him. I'll be back soon enough."
"What, you're living?"
Rimuru asked but I was gone already.
To be continued